Sony and its Xperia series have always marched to the beat of their own drum, and the Xperia 1 VI continues that old-school smartphone fascination.
But does this harmonious blend strike the right chord, or does it miss a beat?
design and build.
Unboxing the Xperia 1 VI feels like reconnecting with a long-lost friend. Sony’s signature boxy design makes a return, exuding a sense of familiarity and understated elegance. The device boasts an embossed, textured glass back. This minimalist aesthetic is both a strength and a potential Achilles’ heel.
While the Gorilla Glass Victus promises durability, the matte finish has proven to be unexpectedly prone to scratches. Within just a day of careful use, minor scuffs became noticeable, marring the pristine surface.
With an IP68 and IP65 rating, it can withstand submersion up to 1.5 metres and resist low-pressure water jets.
My only gripe is the lack of accessories that come with the phone. Seriously, apart from the phone and some user manual, there is nothing else included. Come on Sony, we are Futr are all about sustainability, but include a charging cable at the very least.
display.
Sony’s departure from the ultra-long 21:9 aspect ratio to a more conventional 19.5:9 is a strategic move. This shift caters to a broader audience, making the device more ergonomic and user-friendly.
The 6.5-inch OLED display, though reduced to a 1080p resolution from its predecessor’s 4K, remains sharp and vibrant. The real star here is the brightness. With a peak of up to 1,300 nits, outdoor visibility is exceptional, ensuring clarity even under direct sunlight.
The adaptive refresh rate, oscillating between 15Hz and 120Hz, ensures smooth scrolling and optimised battery consumption. While some purists might lament the resolution downgrade, in daily use, the display’s performance is still impressive.
performance.
Under the hood, the Xperia 1 VI houses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, paired with 12GB of RAM. This combination promises, and initially delivers, swift app launches and seamless multitasking.
However, the device exhibits aggressive thermal throttling. Extended periods of intensive tasks, like gaming or 4K video recording, result in a performance dip to about 58% of its peak capabilities. This means that while casual users might not notice, power users could find this limiting during prolonged high-performance scenarios.
On a brighter note, the stereo speakers are a delight. They produce a clean, detailed, and crisp sound, with superb timing and dynamics. However, they can verge on a lean-sounding profile at times, lacking some much-needed dynamic punch.
For extended listening sessions, especially with music genres that demand richer bass, plugging in a pair of quality headphones is recommended.
cameras.
Sony continues to cater to photography aficionados with the Xperia 1 VI’s camera system. The triple-lens setup includes a standard wide-angle, ultra-wide, and a unique continuous optical zoom lens ranging from 3.5x to 7.1x.
This zoom capability is particularly noteworthy, offering flexibility that few competitors provide.
In well-lit conditions, the camera excels, capturing detailed and vibrant shots. However, it occasionally struggles with dynamic range, leading to overexposed highlights in high-contrast scenes.
Low-light performance is competent but doesn’t quite match up to some rivals, with images lacking the depth and clarity seen elsewhere. The physical shutter button is a nostalgic touch, reminiscent of traditional cameras, and enhances the overall shooting experience.
battery life.
Equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, the Xperia 1 VI comfortably powers through a full day of moderate use. However, the 30W wired charging feels sluggish compared to competitors, taking approximately 86 minutes to reach a full charge.
In a market where rapid charging is becoming the norm, this is a slight drawback. Wireless charging is supported but is limited to 15W, which is on the slower side.
software.
Running on Android 14 with Sony’s minimalistic overlay, the user experience is clean and intuitive. Sony’s suite of creative apps, such as Music Pro and Video Creator, offers added value for content creators.
However, these apps, while functional, don’t quite replace dedicated software available on other platforms.
verdict.
The Sony Xperia 1 VI masterfully blends nostalgic design elements with modern features, appealing to both long-time Sony enthusiasts and new users seeking something different.
However, certain aspects, such as the susceptibility to scratches, thermal throttling, and slower charging speeds, may give potential buyers pause. With stiff competition from various other brands, unfortunately the Xperia will continue to remain a niche cult product.
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